Feminine Health

There are many health problems unique to the female. Many of these imbalances/ problems are related to specific deficiencies to complex glandular reactions of the female reproductive system. Society as a whole seems to view premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramping, hot flashes, infertility, anxiety, nervousness, extremes in emotional behavior, and other symptoms of menopause to be common and normal.

Most of these health problems respond well to the natural, holistic, chiropractic kinesiology approach. Sometimes the condition/ illness, might need the medical or allopathic drug approach. However, your Applied Kinesiologist, along with your regular MD, can help guide you to make a prudent decision. The key is to find out the cause(s) of the problem. In addition, it is important to act quickly as possible, before it becomes irreversible. Dr Sahara will be able to identify what is affecting your hormonal imbalance: 1) Structurally 2) Chemically 3) Mentally 4) Electromagnetically.

Hormone Balance

The female hormone estrogen is present in both females as well as males. The hormone is identical in both; however, its concentration is much higher in the female. This hormone provides secondary sex characteristics (breasts, ovaries, uterus, absence of facial hair, etc.) and is very important in many aspects of female reproduction function. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for the uterus preparing for a pregnancy. Should the ovum become fertilized, it is progesterone that keeps menstruation from starting and prevents further pregnancies while one develops.

In the absence of pregnancy, it is very important for estrogen and progesterone to be in proper ratio. Each hormone has its role to perform. Excessive estrogen in the estrogen-progesterone ratio inhibits the action of progesterone. On the other hand, the effects of estrogen are blocked by progesterone. You can see that this intricate, fluctuating ratio is very important for a normal buildup and discharge of the uterine lining, which is the normal menstrual cycle.

Phytohormones are plant compounds with hormonal effects. A diet rich in a variety of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables supplies some of the phytohormones and makes a woman less likely to experience the symptoms of glandular imbalance. Sometimes the doctor will prescribe specific herbs with phytohormone characteristics. The common fallacy or error most patients do is, self prescribe. The second possible problem, if natural treatment does not work, is that doctor did not find the specific supplement (glandular), herb, and / or homeopathic. In addition, the proper dosage, as well as the proper therapy was not used appropriately. Applied Kinesiology cuts the guess work out. It has a definite, specific intent, protocol, and purpose.

Xenohormones are synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and plastics. They are common in our environment in meat, soaps, carpeting, furniture, and paneling, and they affect all living creatures, including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. Most of the xenohormones have estrogenic effects. They are a major factor in disrupting the estrogen-progesterone ratio.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is most often done with estrogen extracted from the uterine of pregnant mares (female horses). It is natural only to the pregnant horse, not to the human. Progesterone treatment in HRT is usually progestin, a synthetic chemical with some progesterone-like effects. Both of these are drugs that are foreign to the human body and have been shown to have numerous side-effects, some of which are devastating.

Hormone imbalance can often be treated naturally by returning normal glandular control, some of which is already mentioned above. In AK this is done by considering all three sides of the triad of health – structure, chemical, and mental aspects of health.

If hormone replacement is necessary a patient should seek a doctor who prescribes natural estrogen and / or progesterone. When the natural products are regulated properly, the adverse side effects of synthetic drugs are avoided. The natural hormones must usually be obtained from a compounding pharmacist, i.e., a pharmacist who puts the natural hormones together on the prescription of the doctor. Most of the time, however, a patient from the Sahara Clinic, does not need to go that far. Chiropractic alone, with the right intent, can fix the problem.

Sometimes when hormone imbalance is treated nutritionally or by other means, there is disruption of the normal menstrual cycle timing as the body re-balances its hormones.

Liver Involvement

The liver is important in maintaining the estrogen-progesterone ratio. It is responsible for deactivating estrogen, and it also has a role in regulating progesterone. If the liver is not functioning at its peak, the estrogen-progesterone ratio will probably be out of balance. This will then create an improper buildup and discharge from the uterus will develop, manifesting as dysmenorrheal. Liver involvement may be the result of diet, blood sugar handling stress, or the liver regulating mechanisms, as well as many other causes.

Dysmenorrhea

The term “dysmenorrheal” literally means “difficult menstruation.” A woman who experiences dysmenorrhea knows the symptoms all too well and dreads “that time of the month.”

Severe menstrual cramping is sometimes the result of nutritional deficiency, such as calcium and / or other factors. Regaining normal nutritional balance and adequate nerve and energy control of the reproductive organs and hormones yields good result.

Hormone Interaction

There is complex interaction within the endocrine system. One gland functioning improperly can cause dysfunction in many other glands. The adrenal and thyroid glands are a very important in reproductive organ hormone balance, and play a very intricate role in the total balance of the endocrine system (hormonal system). The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the body. It is important in its role of controlling the ovaries by the production of gonadotrophic hormones.

This is a brief discussion of a very complicated subject. The important factor is that reproductive hormone imbalance can be, and usually is, the result of involvement somewhere else in the body. The simple administration of estrogen in the form of HRT does not treat the basic cause of the problem. In fact, prolonged administration of estrogen will ultimately cause the ovaries to become atrophied – in other words, reduced in size. This happens because estrogen, whether in the body naturally or from allopathic drugs/ medication or the environment, inhibits the gonadotrophic hormones from the pituitary. These are the hormones that stimulate ovarian activity. Lack of this stimulation causes the body to say, in essence, “We don’t need the ovaries anymore,” and they quit working. It’s just as if you were to put your arm in a sling and keep it there for two years; the arm would wither and become inactive.

Structural Balance

Another primary cause of dysmenorrheal is structural imbalance. The uterus can be tipped or dropped, creating a mechanical malfunction. This often correlates with muscular weakness, primarily of the levator ani, which is the major muscle of the pelvic floor. This muscle will be tested by your doctor knowledgeable in AK and returned to normal strength, if necessary. She/he may also use treatment techniques for lifting the uterus and improving its position. It is possible for this condition to be so advanced that surgical intervention is necessary; in this instance, your doctor of natural health may make a surgical referral.

In AK, every muscle in the body correlates to a specific organ. The muscles providing stability to the pelvis especially, in the posterior (back), represent the reproductive organs. Those specific muscles, usually will display some sort of weakness. Sometimes only found in a particular posture/ position. Every vertebral level and/ or joint correlates to a specific organ and acupuncture point. An AK doctor knows he is rebalancing the patient’s innate (body force) as well as Qi.

Amenorrhea

The word “amenorrhea” means “lack of menstruation.” This, of course, is normal after menopause, prior to puberty, and during pregnancy.

Amenorrhea requires a general health history and examination. It can be the result of the body going into sparring mode such as in elite athletic training, anemia, or protein deficiency. Thyroid and adrenal dysfunction, among other glandular problems, may be involved. Certain medications and many other general chemicals can also cause amenorrhea. Sometimes hormone imbalance is the result of tumor formation; in this case a surgical referral may be necessary, but not always.

It is difficult to determine precisely when menstruation will commence after successful treatment for amenorrhea has been administered. The body works in a cyclic manner similar to the circadian rhythm. The natural health approach does nothing to force the body into rhythm; menstruation develops after a normal uterine buildup, and finally there is discharge from the uterus. Sometimes normal menstrual cycles begin shortly after treatment is started; in other cases, it may take up to three months to regain normal cycling.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS occurs during the premenopausal years, usually around the mid-thirties, and becomes increasingly worse as the years pass, PMS can occur during the two weeks before menstruation and sometimes for just a few days into it.

The symptoms of PMS vary greatly with the individuality of women. The range of symptoms could fill half of this pamphlet. Most common are bloating, water retention, breast tenderness, headaches, cramps, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and anxiety.

In AK it has been found that one of the most common associations with PMS is adrenal stress disorder. Increased cortisol in this condition blocks progesterone from its receptors. Supplemental natural progesterone may be needed in addition to regaining proper adrenal function. As usual the ratio between estrogen and progesterone is examined and corrected if necessary, along with other glandular and hormonal imbalance.

Menopause

Unfortunately, it seems to be the general consensus that women are going to have trouble when they enter menopause. The normally functioning female does not have significant problems with the condition.

The adrenal glands produce the same male and female hormones as the reproductive organs. During the reproductive years they produce small amounts of the hormones. Normally the adrenal glands mature in their process of forming female hormones at the time the ovaries reduce functioning. Although the adrenal do not produce the female hormones in nearly the same concentration as the reproductive system, they provide the necessary maintenance as the reproductive organs cease functioning. If a patient has prolonged adrenal stress disorder, i.e., inadequate function of the adrenal glands, the symptoms of menopause such as irritability, vaginal dryness, and hot flashes develop. If these symptoms occur, a woman should obtain natural health care first, and as soon as possible. Ideally, a woman will use a maintenance health approach designed to keep her body functioning at an optimal level to prevent the development of such symptoms. These symptoms are like the low oil or low fuel light on the dashboard of one’s car. It is like the “idiot lights” of your body are telling the patient, “Something is wrong.” Listen to your body. Ideally, a woman will use a maintenance health approach designed to keep her body functioning at an optimal level to prevent the development of such symptoms or disease.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflamed vagina that usually results from microorganisms abnormally multiplying. The problem often develops because the lining of the vagina is unhealthy; consequently, there is poor resistance to the invading microorganisms.

The condition can correlate with a sugar-handling stress, which can cause the release of an excessive amount of glycogen (a type of sugar) from the uterus and vaginal walls. This, in turn, sets up a fertile field in which the many microorganisms can grow and thrive.

There are often colon health problems when vaginitis is present. The colon is supposed to have bacteria for normal function. Sometimes, however – especially with sugar-handling stress – colon bacteria are improper and can easily transfer from the anal and vaginal area. A woman should use good hygiene methods to avoid this. In addition, proper nutrition and supplementation should be implemented. The colon should be examined and treated when vaginitis is present. It is also recommended that when a woman is recuperating from vaginitis she take showers instead of baths; this helps avoid contamination.

Loss of Libido

There are many reasons in the complex female hormone system for a lack of desire for sexual activity. The answer to the problem is to thoroughly evaluate an individual on a natural health basis, including history and examination. This problem, as well as most female health problems, responds well to natural health care if treatment is sought before irreversible pathologic conditions have an opportunity to develop.

Applied Kinesiology examination adds functional evaluation of the interplay between the nervous, glandular/ endocrine, and meridian/ acupuncture systems in their control of body function.

Written by Systems DC, edited and added to by Darrick E Sahara, D.C., Inc.

The absence of symptoms does not necessarily indicate the presence of wellness.

“Look to the spine first in health and in disease.”

-Hippocrates

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”